1. [Filled with Warmth!]

A campaign to distribute heating briquettes is underway.

A tower of love has been erected at the Gyeonggi Provincial Office intersection. For 2 months since November 1st the Gyeonggi Province social welfare joint fundraising association ran a campaign under the slogan \’sharing is the power to change the world.\’

1)s-Tower of love/Gyeonggi Provincial Office Intersection

This years goal of $8.1 million and 100 degrees works like this. Every increment of $81,000 dollars saved raises the thermometer 1 degree.

2)s- This year\’s goal is $8.1 million dollars

3)
(The economy is hard on people these days. The more difficult the economy becomes the more help people need. I hope residents can help our neighbors through this fundraiser.)

-cg-
The heating briquettes campaign has been on the rise over the years raising $5 million in 2006, $6.2 million in 2007, and about $6.9 million in 2008.

(cg: results of briquette campaign/$5 million in 2006/
$6.2 million in 2007/$6.9 million in 2008)

However this year it is hard to say if the trend will continue this year with the slow economy.

4)s-Fundraising, donations levels drop

This year we hope the tower of love will rise to the top and make this winter a warm one for the less fortunate in our community.

5)s-2009 briquettes campaign (December 1, 2008 – January 31, 2009)

2. [10 Years of Volunteering]

This year marked the first time Gyeonggi Province volunteers broke the 1 million person mark. The volunteers who personally practice serving their neighbors had a gathering to commemorate this event.

The Gyeonggi Province volunteers held their 10th convention to encourage members and to conclude a year of volunteering.

1) s-The 10th Gyeonggi Province Volunteers Convention/ Kyeonggi Small and Medium Business Center (December 4th)

This year the number of Gyeonggi Province volunteers exceeded one million for the first time in the country making this convention a special one.

2) s- Registered volunteers exceeded 1 million for the first time in the country.

3)
{This year has a special significance because in our 10th year we have exceeded 1 million registered volunteers.}

At present the number of registered volunteers stands at about 1 million 40 thousand. Yun Jeong-hwa, who has been volunteering at the Hwaseong Immigration Processing Center as a counselor has become the 1 millionth Gyeonggi volunteer.

4)
{While counseling foreigners I help relief their sadness and pain, which becomes very rewarding work for me.}

Also, the youth guidance committee in Pyeongtaek was selected as the volunteer group that distinguished itself as an outstanding organization.

5) s- \’Pyeongtaek Youth Leaders\’ Committee\’ an outstanding organization

6)
{We volunteer based on the youth, who play a central role in our country. I will look at this award as an encouragement to work harder.}

With the economy hit hard it appears as if the number of volunteers has increased commensurate with the number of people who need their help.

We look forward to seeing 1 million volunteers spread warmth throughout Gyeonggi Province.

3. [Briquettes of Love]

More and more are looking for briquettes as the cost of heating oil is up. However, the price of briquettes is also on the rise. To help ease the cost of briquettes Gyeonggi Province and volunteers have stepped forward to help deliver briquettes.

This narrow alleyway is filled with people.

1) s- Gwangmyeong 7 Dong, Gwangmyeong

A long line has formed to deliver briquettes to the less fortunate living in older homes.

The briquettes are passed one by one.

Adults and children alike with soot covered faces lift heavy briquettes and begin to perspire.

2)
{I didn\’t know there were so many people who needed these briquettes. But it feels good to give them out.}

3)
{I hope that in these times that are worse than during the IMF that the warmth of people\’s hearts like the briquettes can keep our neighbors warm.}

Each family received 300 briquettes today, 4500 briquettes in all.

4) s- A total of 4500 briquettes, 300 per family

In the winter, 4 briquettes are enough to heat one home for 24 hours, so the briquettes should last about 2 months.

5)
{We didn\’t think about oil, and just have this briquette boiler…. We will put these to good use.}

We hope that briquettes which retail for 400 won can help residents stay warm this winter.

4. [A　World With Everyone]

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or AIDS, is well-known for having no cure. Those with the affliction can lead a normal life with the proper treatment. Gyeonggi Province held an event in commemoration of World AIDS Day.

December 1st was world AIDS day.

1) s- December 1st, World AIDS Day

An event was held that included street attractions, concerts, and much information about AIDS prevention.

An event was held in commemoration of World AIDS Day.

2)s- World AIDS Day event/Gyeonggi Provincial Office (December 1st)

Clearing up any bias or prejudice about AIDS patients was the emphasis of the event. AIDS patients said they were no different from others.

4)
{Anyone can get it, I hope you don\’t think of me as any different.}

AIDS, which is sometimes called God\’s judgement is contagious only through blood or sexual contact. It cannot be spread through eating, or talking together or a light hug.

5)
{It cannot be spread in everyday life, but if it is contracted one can be healthy again after the right treatment.}

Currently, there are 997 people in Gyeonggi Province infected with AIDS.

Patients need real interest and support not judgment and prejudice.

5. [Opening up the Job Market]

These days finding a job is not easy. And there are many costs involved in preparing to find a job. Gyeonggi Province has set up a place to learn skills for free to help hopefuls find a job.

Do Chan-gu is studying hard in his car repair class.
Although just 18 years old he is very enthusiastic about cars.

After working in goods transport for a while Oh Heung-seok also became interested in car repair and began studying alongside those far younger than him.

1)
{I\’m not looking to find a job like the young people, but am planning to learn some skills to start my own business.}

All tuition for courses at the Gyeonggi Technical School are provided by the province.

2)s-Gyeonggi Province provides all tuition

Accordingly, the course has seen good results because there is no burden of tuition. All one needs is enthusiasm and passion to earn a certificate, or to take a course for practical work.

3)
{Every year about 600 people graduate, and about 90% of them find work.}

These students are satisfied because by attending school and learning some skills a secure job is guaranteed.

4)
{This really helped me after I was discharged from the military and had nothing.}

The Gyeonggi Province Technical School is a stepping stone for those who dream of learning a skill and making their mark in society.

5)S- Information for prospective students in 2009 (December 1st, 2008 ~ February 24th 2009)

6. [Traffic Congestion Solved]

The businesses in one industrial park that have been suffering from too much traffic have finally seen some relief.

This is the Jangsu Industrial park in Jangan-myeon, Hwaseong. There are 14 companies in this park, but there is an obstruction blocking the entrance of the park causing traffic congestion.

1)s-Jangsu Industrial Park/Jangan-myeon Hwaseong

2)
{Due to this separation cars coming from balambang-myeong cannot turn left, and cars are vicariously crossing the center line driving in the wrong direction.}

Also, the number of accidents due to drivers making illegal left hand turns have been adding up.

So the Gyeonggi Province Traffic Flow team came forth in cooperation with related government agencies for projects to improve this area. The results have begun to develop the area and start to relief the problem of crossing.

3)s-Gyeonggi Province Traffic Flow Team came forth in cooperation

First the obstruction was removed.

In the future a traffic light system and lane for turning left are planned to be added.

4)s-Obstruction removed, signal system in left hand lane installed

5)
(It should be easier to do business with the traffic improvement project, and easier for employees to come to work.)

The traffic flow team received 6,000 civil complaints since last year, but through this public agency complaints about traffic have been relieved.

6)s-Last year nearly 6,000 complaints were received, traffic relieved

7. [Beautiful Bathrooms]

The number of pleasant and attractive bathrooms have rapidly increased. There are especially a lot of public bathrooms that are becoming places of interest in the province. Recently, the administration safety department was selected as the best public agency for public bathroom management evaluation among local autonomies throughout the country.

A model of a soccer ball in front of the Suwon World Cup Stadium draws much attention. This is a public bathroom that was erected during the 2002 World Cup.

It has been some time since the region has made a name for itself in novelty attraction.

1)
{It\’s a clever idea to put a soccer ball-shaped bathroom next to the stadium.}

This is the firefly bathroom located at the entrance of the Gwanggyo mountain hiking trail in Suwon. The clean, well-organized interior of the bathroom can be seen from the outside.

The firefly bathroom that was awarded the beautiful bathroom award in 1999 when the awards first began has been a place of rest for residents not just a place of convenience.

2) s- Place of rest and a restroom

3)
{Other places don\’t have those restrooms. It looks good and spacious, and makes you feel at ease when you come out.}

This year Namyangju\’s piano bathroom was named the Gyeonggi Province beautiful bathroom.

4) s- \’Piano Bathroom\’ named beautiful bathroom 2008

Gyeonggi Province has held a beautiful bathroom contest each year helping to increase the number of beautiful bathrooms here. The province has also recently received the highest score in the country for public bathroom policy evaluations.

5) s- Highest score in the country for public bathroom policy

Public bathrooms which are sanitary and convenient are now being reborn as a new place popular with residents.